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Your alternative Philippine News outletTue, 27 Mar 2018 05:34:45 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngnewsmephhttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com
Grab takes over Uber in the Philippineshttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/27/grab-takes-over-uber-in-the-philippines/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/27/grab-takes-over-uber-in-the-philippines/#respondTue, 27 Mar 2018 05:26:51 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=55827 March 2018 – Uber Technologies Inc. has announced that it has sold its stake in the South East Asian Region to regional competitor Grab of Singapore. In the said deal, Grab will take over operations of Uber in around 8 countries in the region where the 2 companies compete.

With this deal, Uber has bought in 27.5% stake in Singapore based Grab. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowhshahi will be seating in the Board of Grab based on the deal that was struck between the two transport giants. Of the merger, Khosrowshahi said: “One of the potential dangers of our global strategy is that we take on too many battles across too many fronts and with too many competitors.” The merger is touted as one of the biggest in the South East Asian region, leaving Grab as the dominant player in the market. For Uber however, it is part of the efforts to streamline its costs in view of an upcoming public listing. Currently, the deal between Grab and Uber largely affects the SEA region where Grab will be the predominant Brand. But overall, Uber globally now owns a significant stake in Grab.

In the Philippines, both companies had been competing toe-for-toe in a market that lacks the modern amenities of modern mass transportation system. Recently, both operators were slapped with heavy fines and suspensions by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for operating without any franchise in the Philippine market.

In August of 2017, Uber had to pay a total fine of $10 Million dollars or Php 190 million in order to be able to operate its ride sharing transport model. The fine was a result of Uber’s non compliance and ignoring an LTFRB order while Grab had complied with it. This partly led to the resignation of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick and the assumption of the position by Khosrowhshahi.

Sadly for the Philippine market, Uber was the more preferred brand due to its signing up private car owners as compared to Grabs taxi drivers who have been known to abuse passenger fares. Formal announcements in the Philippines have yet been made by both the franchisees of Uber and Grab and how the merger will take effect. There will be a two week period for the adjustments to take place as announced by Uber.

In a letter to the SEA Uber team, Khosrowhshahi congratulated the team for the growth they achieved and wished them well in the period of adjustment. Philippine Uber app owners received emails stating that all legal obligations and contracts of Uber in the Philippines shall now be addressed to the legal department of Grab.

Photo by Ed Gumban of the Philippine Star. Former President Aquino showing the steep increase in Dengue incidence in the Philippine during his term in Office. (2010-2016)

Former President Aquino as he appeared to file his response to the electioneering case filed against him and his officials by the VACC related to the school based immunization program he launched said: “People’s Health cannot be held in abeyance!”

He pointed out that there was an existing Dengue epidemic as declared by former Secretary Enrique Ona way back in 2014 where Ona said: “Dengue in the Philippines has in recent years become an epidemic.” Secretary Ona at that time had ordered the DOH to battle the Dengue epidemic using an untried and unproven drug called ActRX Triact, ordering clinical trials on over 2,000 patients without any FDA approval. This partly caused his resignation from the DOH.

The former President added that the government acted based on what it knew at that time. He called the cases being filed against him and former officials as pure harassment. Aquino has been very active in attending the hearings in the Senate and the House of Representatives on the issue of Dengvaxia.

President Aquino said that health programs are not banned during periods of election specially when it concerns the health and welfare of the people. He showed a graph from the DOH epidemiology department showing the sharp increase in dengue incidence in the country starting in 2010 when there was a 140% rise from 2009. He explained that the fight against the dengue virus is based on sound data from the DOH and the WHO.

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/dengvaxia-implementation-not-against-the-comelec-law-aquino/feed/0Ed Gumban (photo ownership) Philippine StarnewsmephEd Gumban (photo ownership) Philippine StarPAO autopsy no basis -Halsteadhttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/14/pao-autopsy-no-basis-halstead/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/14/pao-autopsy-no-basis-halstead/#respondWed, 14 Mar 2018 03:42:23 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=547Scott Halstead, foremost US Dengue expert testified in the joint Blue Ribbon and Health Committee hearings of the Senate said: “The Diagnosis of Dengvaxia cannot be based on autopsy! There are a lot of autopsies being done now because, unfortunately, children die for one reason or another after vaccination. This is a very old phenomenon. I’ve been in the vaccine business forever and there are always problems like this.”

Halstead had directly disputed the Philippine Public Attorney’s Office position and the claims of its Head, PAO Chief Persida Acosta that the autopsies they have conducted are directly linked to the Dengvaxia vaccine. The continued PAO announcements in media created panic and hysteria among the parents vaccinated with the vaccine and the population at large. This led to a 40% percent decline in the whole free immunization programs conducted by the Department of Health. Earlier in the week, the DOH had warned the PAO against coming out with inconclusive statements.

Despite the announcements of PAO Medico-legal Erwin Erfe and PAO consultant Dr. Amata of the Ospital ng Maynila that they do not have conclusive evidence, PAO Chief Acosta continued on with her claim “namatay dahil sa Dengvaxia” (deaths were caused by Dengvaxia) stating that these were the results of the autopsies they conducted which she claimed were signs of viscerotropism and neurotropism. (these were echoed by Dr. Suzy Pineda Mercado in her various TV interviews).

Halstead debunked these saying: “it is not appropriate to use the terms viscerotropism and neurotropism in relation to Dengvaxia. Viscerotropism is a medical term defining the effect on the body’s internal organs, usually the heart, lungs and liver; while neurotropism refers to the effect on the nerves. These terms are applied to Yellow Fever and not dengue.”

At the time that the school based dengue immunization was introduced, the Philippines was experiencing a Dengue epidemic with more than 200,000 cases of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever affecting the Philippines according to World Health Organization data. The Philippine was at the top of the list in Western Pacific Area and number 1 among ASEAN countries. Dengue expert Dr. Scott Halstead said that “He could not blame the Philippines Health Minister at that time because they had acted in good faith.” The Sanofi findings only came out in November of 2017.

Halstead continued by saying that people should not be afraid of vaccinations and added that people who were vaccinated by Dengvaxia should be monitored and given care. DOH Secretary has already ordered the establishment of Dengue fast-lanes in all public and private hospitals to care for the immunized and those afflicted by Dengue. “Halstead added: “We don’t want people to feel vaccines are dangerous and maintained that Dengvaxia remains effective in protecting people who are seropositive for the dengue virus (those who have had dengue) but not effective in preventing the disease for those who are seronegative at the time of immunization.”

When the school based dengue immunization was launched using Dengvaxia, 400,000 plus students aged 9-14 (highest at risk for dengue based on DOH data) were given the first dose in limited areas with high dengue incidence. Secretary Paulyn Ubial would continue the program and expand it to other areas, converting to the community based program providing the 2nd and 3rd doses to those previously immunized and the 1st up to the 3rd doses among the remainder of 830,000 students and over 10,000 policemen and their families. Secretary Duque would also continue the program and later on suspend it due to the public outcry caused by the PAO.

During the time of Secretary Enrique Ona, a national dengue immunization program was launched using a different untested drug called ActRX Triact. The school based program was a continuation of the said immunization program of the DOH, but using the WHO approved Dengvaxia.

With the pronouncements of Halstead. Senator Gordon ended the Senate Hearings on Dengvaxia and said that the report will be forthcoming.

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/14/pao-autopsy-no-basis-halstead/feed/0Dengue expert Scott HalsteadnewsmephPAO dengue analysis a mistake – Sec Duquehttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/09/pao-dengue-analysis-a-mistake-sec-duque/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/09/pao-dengue-analysis-a-mistake-sec-duque/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 02:00:57 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=544A nine year old patient shown by the Public Attorney’s Office as being delirious in TV during the height of the Dengvaxia investigations was instead found to have been protected by the vaccine.

According to DOH Secretary Duque in his hospital visit to Ospital ng Maynila where the patient was confined, they found the patient to be “Negative for the NS1 antigen, which is the marker for dengue infection. However, positive for IGM and IGG, which only means that the vaccine has induced a protective anti-body response or production.”

This contrary to the persistent, wild and much publicized claims of PAO Chief Persida Acosta. Dr. John Arnel Amata, PAO pathologist consultant from the Ospital ng Maynila, last Feb 28 said that pronouncements of PAO should be very careful because viral diseases overlap and may cause bleeding, not all cases can be linked to Dengvaxia. This was confirmed by the statement of their medico-legal Erwin Erfe who said all their findings remain inconclusive.

DOJ Secretary Aguirre in a previous statement also said that the statements coming from the PAO Medico-Legal should not be believed because it is not coming from an expert. “Erfe is not a pathologist, he is not an expert! We will get a foreign expert to help the government.”

In a March 6, TV-Radio interview, Acosta countered that the PAO already has experts. She also claimed that experts are no longer needed in the case based on their own findings in direct contravention to the wishes of Secretary Aguirre which she uses as her mandate for conducting the PAO investigations.

Some sectors have claimed that the PAO Chief is using the investigations to increase her chances in a possible Senatorial Bid. Others called for the medical investigations be left with the DOH-PGH panel of experts. Questions on the PAO investigations have also been aired on why the PAO has been concentrating its efforts on destroying former Secretary Garin and current Secretary Duque, when the PAO has been quiet about former Secretary Ubial who was responsible for administering the most number of doses of Dengvaxia under her expanded immunization program which saw it being implemented at the barangay level and in areas outside the initial pilot areas.

The current statement of DOH Secretary Duque coincides with the statement of foremost Philippine pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortune who said: “The PAO investigation is wrong because PAO has already made a conclusion, and they are getting evidence to support their conclusion.”

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/09/pao-dengue-analysis-a-mistake-sec-duque/feed/0ubialnewsmephSotto opposes P 2.1 B Comelec-Smartmatic dealhttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/sotto-opposes-p-2-1-b-comelec-smartmatic-deal/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/sotto-opposes-p-2-1-b-comelec-smartmatic-deal/#respondThu, 08 Mar 2018 02:45:23 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=541March 8 – In a privilege speech delivered in the Senate, Senator Sotto opposed the P2.1 B peso deal on the purchase of 97,000 vote counting machines by Comelec from Smartmatic. Sotto said there are still questions pending on the last elections results which used the technology platform provided by Smartmatic. Sotto claimed foreign meddling on the results benefitted 6 candidates which he did not name. He said the anomalies were discovered to have started in Libon, Albay.

Sotto further added that the servers were not secure since there was an intrusion during May 8, 10 and 11. Commissioner Guanzon of the COMELEC said the allegation was impossible since the the server was closed and this was only opened after balloting. Namfrel, the citizens watchdog, frowned on the investigation being conducted by the legal department of the COMELEC saying that the probe must be done by IT experts and that the probe should be conducted by competent authorities in the proper forum.

President Duterte won by an astounding 8 million votes over his closest rival in the May 2016 elections. Most pending protests rest on the Vice Presidential position and Senatorial slots.

COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said that they will be addressing the allegations of Senator Tito Sotto and require Smartmatic to submit documents relating to it.

Meanwhile, the COMELEC remains busy preparing for the Mid Term elections in 2019

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/08/sotto-opposes-p-2-1-b-comelec-smartmatic-deal/feed/0sottonewsmephBoracay CLOSEDOWN loomshttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/boracay-closedown-looms/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/boracay-closedown-looms/#respondWed, 07 Mar 2018 06:36:05 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=537March 7, 2018 – Closedown of world famous island resort of Boracay is looming based on the pronouncement of President Duterte during the oath taking ceremonies of PACC officials last night at Malacanan Palace.

Duterte said that the closure will be for the good of the island and is inclined to approve the suggestions of DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano. He said that this would be for the benefit of the residents and owners as well. The President also warned against the filing of Temporary Restraining Orders against the move as he will just simply not follow it.

Senate President Coco Pimentel also backs the move for a 60 day closure to hasten the repair on the islands infrastructure and facilities. Senator Cynthia Villar has however opposed the move in defense of the resort owners and residents saying that the move would affect the livelihood of the residents and the local economy.

Based on DOLE records the island directly employs over 17,000 workers and a significant amount more is employed by service providers from Aklan which include fishermen, farmers, drivers etc. The whole local economy will be affected by the closure according to the DOLE official who asked not to be named pending an official position from the main office on the matter.

The DENR has been actively inspecting the facilities on the island the past 2 weeks and have cited various violations. (See previous report)

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/07/boracay-closedown-looms/feed/0Boracay ClosednewsmephFormer DOH Sec. Garin to appear in COMELEChttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/former-doh-sec-garin-to-appear-in-comelec/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/06/former-doh-sec-garin-to-appear-in-comelec/#respondTue, 06 Mar 2018 16:07:20 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=531March 7 2018 – Former Health Secretary Janette Garin announced that she welcomes the invitation of the COMELEC in order to shed light on the Dengue Immunization Program that was launched 1 month before the May 2016 Presidential elections.

In a statement sent to COMELEC reporters, Garin said that there was no politics involved in the launching of the program since it was already part of the DOH programs against the Dengue Virus. It could not have been political in any way since the programs were launched in schools and not nationally. Garin added that during her stint, Dengue was a serious concern globally.

According to WHO data, the Philippines was at the top of the list in dengue incidences in 2013 and 2015 with over 200,000 cases being reported. 2014 also saw other countries experiencing a spate of dengue outbreaks. DOH records show that in 2016 over 1000 people died from dengue and the more dangerous dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHF.

The COMELEC invitation for the hearing was a result of a case filed by the VACC claiming that the Dengue Immunization Program was used for political purposes. Garin countered that it was Secretary Paulyn Ubial, her successor, who changed the program from being school based to one that is community based and expanded it to Cebu. “If it was political, why did they expand it?- Garin added in her statement.

The hearing is slated for March 15 with former President Benigno Aquino having confirmed as well.

Way back in 2015, the Philippines planned and adopted a school based Dengue immunization campaign that was actually implemented in the 1st quarter of 2016. This according to former Department of Health Secretary Janette L. Garin was already in the pipeline for implementation because of the prevailing dengue crisis at that time which saw dengue incidence rise to 200,000 cases in 2013 and 2015.

Rewind to 2014. Dengue must have been a great issue for health organizations around the world. Malaysia for the 1st time saw a 159% rise in Dengue incidence climbing to 108,698 reported cases, of whom 45,653 were reported hospitalized and 215 dying in 2014. Fiji, a small island in the Pacific with a population of only 885,806 reported a massive 10,000 cases with 11 deaths. Pakistan had just experienced its worst Dengue crisis in 2013 with over 17,000 cases reported all over the country, the highest in Pakistani history. China reported its highest incidence of Dengue with a jump in those being infected in the thousands in a just a few days. Honduras, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Japan and India also reported a rise in their respective dengue incidence. It was no wonder that the World Health Organization had made not of the increase in dengue incidences. Even Bill Gates took notice and launched an anti-mosquito info campaign called mosquito week under his Belinda & Bill gates foundation. He called the mosquito the deadliest animal in the world killing over 725,000 humans yearly worldwide.

Back to 2015, Sanofi launched a vaccine which they had been studying for over 23 years with over 40,000 participants would be available in the market to combat the dreaded dengue disease. The WHO welcomed this and provided its members guidelines. The Philippines is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dengue has been in the Philippines since 1926 with subsequent major outbreaks in 1953, 1966 (the Great Manila Epidemic), 1998 were over 32,000 cases and 500 deaths recorded. From 2000 to 2009 a steady yearly increase in cases were reported until 2010 when the cases saw a tremendous 140% increase breaching the 100,000 mark with over 700 deaths (WHO figures were at 799 deaths) being reported. The succeeding year 2011, the Philippines ranked 4th in ASEAN with almost 130,000 cases nationwide according to the WHO. This affliction on our country only increased thereafter where 2013, 2015 and 2016 marked the highest recorded incidents and cases of Dengue reaching the 200,000 cases mark in 2013! At this point, we were already number 1 in the Western Pacific Region as identified by the WHO when it came to the prevalence and incidence of Dengue. And guess what the data showed, all through these years, the most afflicted segment of our society are those aged 5-14 years old with the highest recorded deaths of 1,021 in 2016. So, did the Philippines have at that time the luxury to wait? Or did government officials have to act and act swiftly when a vaccine was made available? The history of Dengue outbreaks would defend their decision to act in the manner they did. Find a solution and implement it!

In July of 2016, the WHO came out with additional guidelines on immunization. By then, President Duterte had assumed the helm of leadership with Secretary designate Paulyn Ubial as DOH Secretary. By then over 450,000 school children had already been given an initial dose of the Dengvaxia vaccine by the previous administration in the targeted high prevalence areas in the country. She initially stopped the school based immunization program and had it reviewed by a panel of Filipino experts. However, for her confirmation hearings in congress, she resumed and even expanded the program transforming it into a community based immunization health program where all controls were lost contrary to the WHO guidelines. According to Ubial, she was pressured by Representative Gwendolyn Garcia to expand the program in her bailiwick of Cebu where an additional 200,000 children were to be vaccinated. Ubial would never become Secretary as the powerful Commission on Appointments had rejected her. Word has it that President Duterte was displeased with her performance and never lifted a finger to move for her actual appointment to the post. In studying the numbers, based on the administered dosages, it was Ubial who really propagated the immunization program and furthermore expanded it to areas outside of the initial pilot areas based on WHO guidelines.

Where does the conspiracy lie now?

The conspiracy lies in the fact that when investigations on Dengvaxia were undertaken by the Public Attorney’s Office as assigned by the Department of Justice, acting on a complaint from the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, they have manifestly excluded any participation of Secretary designate Ubial in: 1) the complaint; 2) the investigation on deaths and 3) in their media announcements as it is highly likely that some of the alleged victims may have been vaccinated during her stint at the DOH. The Public Attorney’s Office has shown its partiality by even threatening current Secretary for the death occurring in Cebu when it was actually Ubial who had expanded it to that area.

The PAO has even refused to share its autopsy findings to the panel of UP-PGH experts established by the DOH who found inconclusive evidence of any death resulting from the Dengvaxia vaccine. Every now and then PAO would report that people who were vaccinated died of Dengvaxia. The impression given by the unqualified reports is that the vaccine had something to do with the deaths. But truth be told, nothing as of yet has been medically established conclusively and without an iota of a doubt that the deaths are even remotely related. The PAO has often repeated a well made mantra, a conclusion that all the deaths they have autopsied were related to Dengvaxia. Never had they announced that the deaths were of any other causes apart from dengue.

Later on, Dr. Erwin Erfe the medico-legal of the PAO would ADMIT on national television that his findings were INCONCLUSIVE. This despite the previous announcements of PAO Chief Persida Acosta charging the Administration of President Benigno Aquino and his officials for the deaths. After much public outcry for the actions of the PAO, Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre admitted that Dr. Erfe should NOT be believed as HE IS NOT AN EXPERT because he is not a pathologist!

If there was anything that PAO and the VACC achieved in their media tirade, these are: 1) all free government immunizations are down by 30% even for polio and measles. The PAO and VACC created panic among the populace which may result in a health crisis. 2) The case that may be filed by the Philippine government against Sanofi may have been weakened.

What of the charges of corruption by Senator Richard Gordon? Former DOH Undersecretary Dr. Ted Herbosa, a bidding committee expert and head of the DOH PBAC during the time of Secretary Ona said there was NO EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION. Having seen the weakness of his arguments, Gordon said the two administrations are liable for the mess.

The true conspiracy in the Dengvaxia controversy is slowly unravelling for the public. It is a conspiracy to pit the current President Rodrigo Duterte against former President Benigno Aquino. Malacanang has recognized this and already chimed in with the calls for sobriety from former DOH Secretary Janette Garin and current Secretary Francisco Duque III, who both want to save the DOH. The experts need to be on top of the situation and we must listen to them and not at hasty suppositions and inconclusive declarations!

According to World Health Organization and DOH data, dengue cases went down to 131,827 cases in 2017 from a high of 200,000 the previous years.

The questions that confront us now are: what was all the media hype for; and, is PAO Chief Acosta and Dr. Erwin Erfe deserving of tax payers money. The Filipino people will be the judge.

#DengGate #Dengvaxia #DOH #Dengue

This is an opinion piece. Facts can be gleaned from the following verified resources.

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/the-true-dengvaxia-conspiracy/feed/0newsmephPAO -liable for immunization scarehttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/pao-liable-for-immunization-scare/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/pao-liable-for-immunization-scare/#respondSun, 04 Mar 2018 04:52:17 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=526March 4, 2016 – The Public Attorney’s Office or the PAO should be held liable for causing the reduction in immunization according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III “irresponsible comments created unnecessary panic and scared the public from getting children immunized”. Former Secretary Janette Garin also said that the investigations are being muddled and that instead of helping the government and the population, PAO has created hysteria and panic among the public resulting in the lowering of government offered free voluntary vaccinations.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) was tasked by the DOJ to legally assist the parents of the alleged victims of Dengvaxia. PAO had insisted on their own findings that Dengvaxia was the main cause of the 40 patients they had autopsied. It was unclear whether the DOJ order allowed PAO to conduct medical proceeding on the victims. PAO Chief Acosta also showed the distribution of doses administered by the 2 previous and current secretaries in Congress. PAO showed that most of the alleged victims were injected second and third doses during the time of Secretary Paulyn Ubial who continued and expanded the Dengue immunization program. Congressmen chided the PAO chief for refusing to cooperate with the DOH-PGH team despite her public agreement to cooperate as requested by Senators. “Nagbago ang isip ko” (I changed my mind) was her reply in congress.

Congressman Jorge Banal questioned the expertise of the PAO’s forensic team led by Dr. Erfe, echoing the same sentiments as Senator J.V. Ejercito, and said that what PAO has been achieving is the erosion of trust and confidence of the public in the Department of Health and the UP-PGH investigative task force set-up by Secretary Duque.

Immunizations are down by 30% according to DOH data. “ Our programs are suffering as people are scared to have their children vaccinated even for preventable diseases like measles and polio according to Undersecretary Enrique Domingo.

Dr. Juliet Sio -Aguilar of the DOH –UP PGH established dengue task force of 10 specialists and pathologists who examined 14 cases that were referred to the DOH, all of which underwent tedious and meticulous study, stated that based on their findings there is no medical evidence linking the deaths to Dengvaxia. In fact 9 of the fatalities were known to have died from other causes, not related to Dengue. The 3 other cases were inconclusive.

PAO in its most recent public pronouncements made by Dr. Erwin Erfe said that there may be links to Dengvaxia of the alleged victims they autopsied, but admitted that these are inconclusive.

In a recent meeting between the DOJ, DOH and Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque , Secretary Aguirre said: “Erfe’s opinion on the Dengvaxia deaths should not be considered an “expert” opinion as he is not a qualified pathologist. We will get an international expert to help the government.”

The Philippines is now considered the leader in Dengue incidence in the Western Pacific Region with over 200,000 yearly cases and average of upwards of 500 deaths yearly from mostly children aged 4 to 15 years based on WHO and DOH data.

]]>https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/pao-liable-for-immunization-scare/feed/0newsmephBoracay faces closure, Hotel owners appealhttps://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/boracay-faces-closure-hotel-owners-appeal/
https://newsmeph.wordpress.com/2018/03/04/boracay-faces-closure-hotel-owners-appeal/#respondSun, 04 Mar 2018 04:37:22 +0000http://newsmeph.wordpress.com/?p=522March 4 2018 – Over 200 cases of environmental violations have been filed by the DENR (Department of Natural Resources) against Resort and Hotel owners in the world famous vacation spot of Boracay Island, Philippines.

It was found that about 190 plus establishments were dumping untreated sewage directly into the sea causing massive pollution along the shorelines. The water treatment facilities in Manoc-Manoc and Balabag were found to have exceeded their capacities promting DENR Secretary Cimatu to order their rehabilitation.

Violations include among others: violation of the Philippine Clean Water Act, violation of the Philippine Clean Air Act and operation of establishments without any environmental compliance certificate.

Over 578 establishments on and near shore were inspected by the DENR with most violations being given to on-shore resorts and establishments.

According to DILG Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing III, some areas of the island will be closed to tourist as structures would need to be demolished in order to fix the sewage problem. DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano stated that Boracay cannot be rehabilitated under normal circumstances. One of the options is to totally close down the island to tourists for 60 days.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo proposed the creation of the Boracay Development Authority as a long term solution to the island’s incessant problems and violations of the environmental laws. The authority to manage Boracay was given to the Local Government Unit in 1991 and this is the result she added. Last Monday, the Department of Tourism (DOT) stopped the processing of new and expiring accreditation certificates of establishments in the island which were not complying with environmental laws.

Senator Cynthia Villar has opposed the total closure of the island and instead told the DENR and LGU to close down the erring and violating establishments. “Close only those that are violating laws, those operating without ECC’s, those that are not compliant.”

The closure of the island would be a drastic solution to years long problem of pollution, over crowding and environmental problems. But would have a big effect on the Labor situation in the Region. Department of Labor Western Visayas Director said that 17,000 workers in Boracay would be affected with a total closure. “The suggested closure will increase the unemployment in the region and will have an impact on related businesses that supply and provide services for the island. It’s a domino effect.”

President Duterte had issued an order to “SHUT THEM DOWN” to the DENR referring to those that have been violating the environmental laws. Upon hearing this, some resorts owners voluntarily ceased operations to comply with the DENR. Crisostom Aquino whose West Cove Resort had been in the media for several years for building structures on natural rock formations was surprised by the speed of the demolition team brought by former AFP General and now DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu who ordered the immediate demolition on site of the violating structures. Aquino has been using the courts to delay the demolition of the structures since 2014.

West Cove stands on leased government land under a 25 year Forest Land use Agreement for Tourism which was cancelled in September 12, of 2014 for violating the agreement. West Cove built structures outside of the allowed area and built them on natural formations.

Cimatu warned that if the establishments do not comply with the laws, they will be closed down. “We have to strictly enforce environmental laws in order to protect the country’s tourism sites so that the future generations will be able to enjoy them as well.”

Compliant resorts and hotel owners have appealed against the total closure of the island as it will affect the economy of the Province.